The system is an eastern one and an analysis of it and its community might help us, in theory, to understand what is actually going on.

Reference is made to "T'ai Chi Classics" by Waysun Liao, only for definitions of Yin and Yang and not to push T'ai Chi;

"one reaches the ultimate level or develops in tht direction by means of the ladder of balaced balanced powers and their natural motions-"Yin", the negative power (yielding) and "Yang", the positive power (action)."

We should perhaps see the aggresiveness inherent in an art meant to teach us to winconfrontations as the "Yang" component of our family and the "no first strike" and always block first" and relatively quiet study of Kata as manifestations of the "Yin".

The point simple being that these forces exists in us, in OUR family and/or the system and it is not necessarily, therefore, a matter of right and wrong, polarization by characterization, but rather of realization that a. both elements are necessary parts of the "family" b. both elements are a necessary part of the world c. that the "tension" between the two manifestations is part of the deal and d. that they require each other to some extent.

To allow dominance of one over the other would be dangerous. Evil occurs in this way of looking at things only when one acheives predominance over the other, creating an imbalance.

There is limited parallel in the "light" vs. "dark" themes prevalent in Christian, Jewish and Zorastrian lore, in that neither the Yin nor the Yang is evil, or good. Imbalance creates evil results. Neither is "balance through frozen thought good, in that it may be implied that "stasis" contains both evil and good elements, plus stagnation.

Now if I could only remember my classics....there was a similar discussion by - I believe - a Greek philosopher. It was one discussing why there was ugliness and evil in the world. Without it, there would be no beauty and good. So it seems that eastern thinkers weren't the only ones pondering the issue.

The thought comes to my mind sometimes when I hear folks talk with terrible seriousness about how all our karate is useless because we no longer practice and think like warriors. Yea, maybe so. And maybe some of those that don't - don't care.

And the thought often comes to my mind when engaged in a discussion here on the forum. The "yang" side always wants a comeback. But often there is little learned when stuck in yang. And sometimes the best results come when, God forbid, you say absolutely nothing at all.

It struck at this particular reading in the "Classics" that one interpretation could holdthat neither human side was evil/dark, nor is, of course, any portion of ourr on line community, but that Yin is not "good" nor Yang "evil" but simply forces that when out of balance, can produce evil results. I know I am repeating myself.

Let's suppose I'm in with the "Yin" crowd (sorry)in my personality, theoretically I should understand that Yang is not evil, or ugly, the most negative thing I would be able to say would be "yes there is that component to the art and I understand it's necessity" but do not agree with its manifestations sometimes.

As I recall, the goal is to maintain a harmony of both yin and yang. To have both equally. Thus, a complete martialist will groom both, harness soft and hard. Of course, your yin can also be yang and your yang can be yin ...

However, it seems most martial artists tend to have a pronounced side of either yin or yang.

Along with my many cross-training thoughts, I firmly believe in balance. Isn't it true that most of us find ourselves running from one end of the see-saw to the other as our training progresses? All is in the balance - which is my favorite thing about our half-hard, half-soft style. Sure, some nights I want nothing more than a brutal Sanchin check and some rock-n-roll sparring. But other nights I desparately need (and value - eee gads) a "soft" check and some sticky hands.

Ain't life great that we have so much to play with and so much to learn!!??!